Issac asked
I saw an allergy medication I haven't seen before. It's Chlor-Trimeton. How long does it last?
Answer
Chlor-Trimeton (chlorphenirmine) is a "first-generation" antihistamine (i.e. H1-blocker), similar to Benadryl. However, Chlor-Trimeton is in a different class of antihistamine (alkylamine vs. ethanolamine) than Benadryl and is generally considered less sedating than it. It also has less anticholinergic effects, so causes less dry mouth and has a lower incidence of constipation.
Even though Chlor-Trimeton is less sedating than Benadryl, it still does cause considerable sedation when compared to newer, "second-generation" antihistamines such as Claritin, Allegra and Zyrtec.
How Long Dose Chlor-Trimeton Last?
Each dose of chlorpheniramine will begin working in 30 to 60 minutes and lasts around 4 to 8 hours. Chlorpheniramine is also available in extended release formulations, which last around 12 hours per dose.
How Long Does Chlor-Trimetron Last In Your Body?
The half-life, or time it takes to metabolize 50% of a drug, varies widely with chlorpheniramine. In adults with no kidney impairment, the half life is around 20-24 hours. In children, it is shorter, around 10 to 13 hours.
It generally takes 5 to 6 half-lives for a drug to be completely metabolized from the body. Therefore, in adults, it will take around 4 to 6 days to be eliminated from the body while it will take 2 to 3 days for children.
Summary
- Each Dose of chlorpheniramine lasts 4 to 8 hours.
- Extended release formulations for chlorpheniramine last around 12 hours.
- In adults, it will take 4 to 6 days for chlorpheniramine to be completely eliminated from the body.
- In children, it will take 2 to 3 days for chlorpheniramine to be completely eliminated from the body.
